20 Questions

Good Music Questions to Ask

Discover someone's musical soul with these engaging questions that reveal their tastes, experiences, and emotional connections to music while sparking memorable conversations.

1

What song never fails to improve your mood?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their emotional relationship with music and what brings them joy, offering insight into their personality and coping mechanisms.

2

If you could only listen to one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their strongest musical connection and what they value most in music, revealing their core preferences.

3

What's the first concert you ever went to?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Opens up nostalgic memories and reveals their introduction to live music, creating a personal connection through shared experiences.

4

What song takes you right back to a specific moment in your life?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals powerful musical memories and emotional connections, showing how music shapes their personal history.

5

What's your favorite album to listen to from start to finish?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows appreciation for cohesive musical experiences and reveals what they value in a complete artistic statement.

6

What genre of music do you secretly love that might surprise people?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals hidden tastes and shows their willingness to share unexpected preferences, creating opportunities for connection.

7

What's the most meaningful song lyric you've ever heard?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their emotional depth and what resonates with them on a deeper level, revealing their values and perspectives.

8

What song do you always skip when it comes on?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their strong dislikes and what doesn't work for them musically, showing their boundaries and preferences.

9

What's your go-to song for a road trip?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows what music energizes them and creates good vibes, revealing their approach to adventure and fun.

10

What artist or band do you wish more people knew about?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their hidden gems and shows their desire to share music they love, indicating their taste in undiscovered talent.

11

What song reminds you of someone special?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Opens up about personal connections and relationships, showing how music intertwines with their emotional life.

12

What's the best live performance you've ever seen?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals memorable musical experiences and what they value in live music, showing their appreciation for performance.

13

What song would you want played at your wedding or funeral?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows what music means most to them in life's biggest moments, revealing their deepest emotional connections.

14

What music do you listen to when you need to focus or work?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their functional relationship with music and how they use it to support their activities and goals.

15

What's a song that you loved as a kid and still enjoy today?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows continuity in their tastes and reveals nostalgic connections, creating opportunities to discuss childhood memories.

16

What instrument do you wish you could play?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their musical aspirations and what they admire in musicians, showing their creative interests.

17

What's your favorite music video of all time?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows appreciation for visual storytelling in music and reveals what creative concepts resonate with them.

18

What song do you turn up the loudest in your car?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals what music excites them and makes them feel alive, showing their energetic preferences.

19

What's a song you can't help but sing along to?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their irresistible musical connections and what makes them lose themselves in music.

20

If you could see any artist perform live, past or present, who would it be?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their ultimate musical dream and what they value most in artists, showing their deepest musical passions.

Best Practices for Music Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Share Your Own Musical Journey

Reciprocate by sharing your own music stories and preferences. This creates mutual understanding and deeper connections through shared passions.

Be Open to New Discoveries

Show genuine interest in music you're not familiar with. Ask them to share songs and be willing to explore new sounds together.

Listen Without Judgment

Respect their musical tastes even if they differ from yours. Everyone's relationship with music is personal and valid.

Question Sequences

The Emotional Connection Sequence

1
What song never fails to improve your mood?
2
What song takes you right back to a specific moment in your life?
3
What's the most meaningful song lyric you've ever heard?

The Musical Discovery Sequence

1
What's the first concert you ever went to?
2
What artist or band do you wish more people knew about?
3
If you could see any artist perform live, past or present, who would it be?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Be a Music Snob

Avoid judging their taste or dismissing the music they love. Everyone's preferences are valid and personal.

Don't Make It a Competition

Focus on sharing and discovering rather than proving who knows more about music. The goal is connection, not one-upmanship.

Don't Force Your Preferences

While it's great to share music you love, don't insist they should like what you like. Respect their individual taste.

Conversation Templates

The Emotional Discovery Approach

1
Step 1: Start with: "What song never fails to improve your mood?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What song takes you right back to a specific moment in your life?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What's the most meaningful song lyric you've ever heard?"

The Musical Journey Focus

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What's the first concert you ever went to?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's the best live performance you've ever seen?"
3
Step 3: Conclude with: "If you could see any artist perform live, past or present, who would it be?"

Further Reading

"How Music Works" by David Byrne
"This Is Your Brain on Music" by Daniel Levitin
"High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation